The Controller in charge of the command, Ahmadu Adamu, charged the newly-promoted warders to reciprocate the gesture by rededicating themselves to service.
He announced that out of the 5,482 personnel promoted by the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board in collaboration with the NPS, nationwide, 142 were from the Gombe State Command.

Adamu said, “Out of this number, the Gombe State Command has 142 officers; 31 will be decorated today as a symbol for the rest to wear their ranks all over the command.
“To the beneficiaries, I wish to use this occasion to remind all of you that to whom much is given, much is expected. To those who are due but were not promoted, count it as an act of God, because promotion comes from Him and certainly yours will come at His appointed time; remember the saying that many are called, but few are chosen.”
One of the beneficiaries, CSP Joseph Anukwulu, a medical doctor by training, said in an interview with Northern City News, “I’m passionate about what I do despite the challenges. Those of us who benefitted from this promotion are grateful to the Controller General of Prisons and the Gombe State Controller for finding us worthy.”
The only female officer among those decorated, SIP Lydia Dauda, could not contain her joy as she exclaimed, “I’m very excited; I promise not to let down my superiors.”
Dignitaries, who attended the event, included the spouses of the promoted officers, university lecturers, as well as representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Immigration Service.